Mumbai: Ahead of the Mumbai civic body elections, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray’s parties have forged an alliance, reuniting the two cousins after years of estrangement. Both factions unveiled their election strategy on Saturday, marking Raj Thackeray’s return to the iconic Shiv Sena Bhavan at Shivaji Park in Dadar after a 20-year gap.
Raj returns to Shiv Sena Bhavan after two decades
At the Shiv Sena Bhavan, Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut launched sharp attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party. Raj remarked that stepping into the building after 20 years felt like being released from prison. “Everyone is asking me how it feels to be here after so long. This place holds many old memories for me. I spent countless days here,” he said.
Recalling the building’s history, Raj noted that when Shiv Sena Bhavan was constructed in 1977, the then Janata Party attacked it with stones. “Our Shiv Sainiks responded by hurling tubelights at them, delivering a crushing reply,” he added.
Not just Mumbai, all Maharashtra mayors must be Marathi: Raj
On the contentious issue of Mumbai’s mayoral election, Raj drew a pointed comparison with Gujarat. He cited Vadodara, which has a historical connection to the Maratha empire, yet consistently elects Gujarati mayors. “If that’s the case there, then why should there even be a question in Mumbai about whether the mayor will be Marathi or not? In every city across Maharashtra, the mayor must be Marathi,” he asserted.
Raj also reiterated his ideological stance, stating, “I have said this before—we are Hindu, not Hindi.” He warned that no political party remains in power forever, questioning what those currently in authority would do once they lose it. “Attempts are being made to turn Maharashtra into UP-Bihar, which poses a serious threat to the state’s future,” he said.
Uddhav: Democracy is being destroyed
Uddhav Thackeray expressed satisfaction over the alliance, saying all of Maharashtra was delighted to see them together. He alleged that democracy has been dismantled under BJP rule. “Earlier, votes were stolen. Now, candidates themselves are being stolen. Ruling party candidates are winning unopposed,” he charged.
Read More: Maharashtra Civic Polls : No Votes Cast, Mahayuti Wins 68 Seats Unopposed
Uddhav demanded that a police complaint be filed against Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, accusing him of misusing his authority and pressuring opposition MLAs. “Wherever ruling party candidates have won unopposed, fresh elections should be held,” he insisted.
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